From the Pastor - Weekly Word 1-15-2020

Greetings!

Matthew 22:14 "For many are called, but few are chosen."

Is God still calling many people today? In other words is God actively reaching out to many people today to invite them to become part of his firsfruits?

Or at some point did God STOP calling people. Did God decide he has enough servants for now and has stopped inviting anyone else?

Or is it somewhere in between? Is God NOT calling many but only calling a few?

This is an important question. Our answer determines our motivation and our attitudes when it comes to preaching the good news of the kingdom of God.

If we believe that God has stopped calling people then our expectation will be that God's church has all it's ever going to have. Therefore preaching the gospel is useless and a waste of time and money.

If we believe that God is only calling a few then our expectation will be that no matter what we do only a very small number of people are going to walk through our doors. Our natural reaction might be to put minimum effort into preaching the gospel.

But if we believe that God is still calling many then our expectation is that many people will show up in our congregations IF we can reach them with the gospel truth.

What does the bible say about this?

John 17:20 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;
John 17:21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

Notice that Jesus is praying for those who WILL BELIEVE in him THROUGH the words of his first disciples. This is a statement, by Jesus, that there will be people being called in the future through the words of his disciples as set forth in scripture. Jesus sets NO time limit on this statement. It has no expiration date.

Let's examine what else Jesus said:

Matthew 9:36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.
Matthew 9:37 Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.
Matthew 9:38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."

Jesus promised that one day there was going to be a huge harvest. Today there are "multitudes" that are weary and scattered and have no shepherd. We should be PRAYING that God will RAISE up laborers.

Brethren WE ARE THE LABORERS. We need help. Let's make it part of daily prayers for God to send laborers to our congregations and do our part by actively and consistently preaching the gospel.

Take care and see you soon!

Doug